Many Americans are expecting a world war to break out during the next four years as President Donald Trump continues to reshape U.S. foreign policy.
The new Emerson College poll found that 55% of voters think it is very likely or somewhat likely that a world war will start in the next four years—the length of Trump’s second term in office. Another 45% said it is very unlikely or not likely at all.
The poll comes after Trump and Vice President JD Vance berated Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for being “disrespectful” and for not saying “thank you” during their meeting on Friday. At one point during the meeting, Trump told Zelenskyy that Ukraine was “gambling with World War III.”
“You’re gambling with World War III, and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country that’s backed you far more than a lot of people say they should have,” Trump told Zelenskyy.
The stunning behavior from the U.S. leaders sparked backlash across the world, with many critics saying it was “embarrassing.”
The poll also found that 46% of U.S. voters think neither the United States nor Ukraine came away from the tense Oval Office meeting last week as a winner. Thirty-five percent said the U.S. was the winner of the meeting, 15% said Ukraine was and 4% said both countries were winners.
Just days after the heated meeting, Trump ordered a “pause” to U.S. assistance to Ukraine to pressure the country into agreeing to peace talks with Russia. The poll found 44% of voters disapprove of Trump’s handling of the Russia-Ukraine war, while 41% approve and 15% are neutral.
The poll also found that a plurality of voters—48%—oppose the U.S. leaving the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). NATO has garnered global attention in recent days as Trump’s advisers have voiced opposition to Ukraine joining the alliance.
NATO was formed in the aftermath of World War II, with member countries pledging to help defend one another if one was attacked under Article 5 of the agreement. The only time NATO invoked Article 5 was in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
The poll was conducted March 2-3 among 1,000 registered voters. It has a credibility interval of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
Stories by Lauren Sforza
Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.